With all the fanfare and commotion surrounding Black Friday, some shoppers probably failed to notice the volunteer who stands outside most major stores ringing a bell for the Salvation Army.

Giving gifts to loved ones is part of the spirit of Christmas, but this holiday season, try to remember to give to those who need it most. That doesn’t just mean dropping a few coins in the donation bucket; try putting some genuine thought and time into charity.

It does not have to be expensive. There are plenty of cost effective ways to give to someone in need on Christmas, and our community is fortunate to have so many worthy causes readily accessible right here in town.

There are two separate toy drives for needy kids who might not have an opportunity to receive gifts on Christmas without donations. The Angel Tree Prison Fellowship Ministry provides toys for kids whose parents have been incarcerated. The Toys for Tots organization has an annual pancake Breakfast with Santa, and Toys for Tykes has held a motorcycle rally toy drive in Picayune for the past 24 years.

There is also a program to support senior citizens during the holidays. The Adopt-a-senior snowflake tree makes sure to remember Pearl River County’s elderly citizens who might not have loved ones in the area.

These are just a few examples of the accessible holiday charities around the county. Donating to those in need is an invaluable feeling. There are some people who are worrying at this very moment whether or not they will be able to provide for their family on Christmas morning. For those who are fortunate enough to never have to worry about that, they owe it to themselves to make a positive impact on someone else’s life. The satisfaction of doing so will be a better gift than any they will unwrap during the holidays.